Adjustable seat



June 16, 1964 F. H. PURSER, JR 3,137,525

ADJUSTABLE SEAT Filed March 13, 1962 I 44 I3 ls l 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG.I.

lei I E? fi l- 5 24 INVENTOR FIG 3 FRED H. PURSER, JR.

ATTORNEY June 16, 1964 F. H. PURSER, JR

ADJUSTABLE SEAT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 13, 1962 FIG. 4.

INVENTOR FRED H. PURSER, JR.

BY s4 ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,137,525 ADJUSTABLE SEAT Fred H. Purser, .Irz, 742 N. State St, Eacltson, Miss. Filed Mar. 13, 1962, Ser. No. 17,375 Claims. (Cl. 291-445) This invention relates to an adjustable seat and more particularly to a seat which may be collapsed when not in use, and readily adjusted to the desired height when used.

One of the main purposes of this invention is to provide an inexpensive, portable adjustable seat to place on top of a piano bench so that performers of dilferent size may adjust their seating to their particular comfort. Also, that the principles of this invention be applied directly to the piano bench itself.

Furthermore, with the growing popularity of outdoor spectator sports such as boating, racing, football, baseball, and the increase in outdoor recreation such as camping, picnics, and other outings, there is a demand for a sturdy, easily adjustable seat which may be collapsed, or folded during periods of nonuse for easy portability. Such seats are also desirable in football and baseball stadiums where they may be installed for the season but still permit ready height adjustment during use. When used in this fashion the seat must not only be sturdy but economical to manufacture and maintain.

An object of this invention is to provide an easily adjusltable seat which may be permanently installed or portab e.

Another object of this invention is to provide an adjustable piano bench including stabilizing means permitting level adjustment of the seat or platform.

A further object of this invention is to provide an adjustable seat which may be collapsed for easy portability and which is very sturdy.

Another object of this invention is to provide an adjustable chair including stabilizing means permitting level adjustment of the seat, and a back foldable over the seat.

These and many other objects may be obtained with my adjustable seat which in general includes a seating platform having notched, downwardly extending legs. A lower supporting frame receives the notched legs while locking means releasably secure the legs in the lower supporting frame. Release means secured to the frame are operatively connected to the locking means so that the seating platform may be readily adjusted relative to the supporting frame upon actuation of the release means. Hinge means secured to the seating platform and the lower supporting frame stabilize the relative movement of the seating platform with respect to the supporting frame permitting a level up-and-down motion. The seat may be provided with a back that folds over the seat forming an adjustable and collapsible chair.

A better understanding of my invention may be had from the following detailed description when taken in view of the appended drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of my adjustable seat illustrating the manner in which a seating platform including a foldable back is adjustably secured by a lower supporting framework and stabilized by hinges.

FIGURE 2 is a bottom perspective view of my adjustable seat illustrating the manner in which the seating 3,137,525 Fatented June 16, 1964 r. ice

platform is adjustably secured to a lower supporting frame by means of hinges and spring biased lock rods.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIGURE 2 illustrating the manner in which the spring biased lock rods cooperate with the notched legs to adjustably support the seating platform.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional plan view of the lower supporting framework illustrating an alternative arrangement of the release levers and an L-shaped operating handle for actuating the release levers and lock rods.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 4 illustrating the L-shaped operating handle in greater detail.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of my invention is shown as comprising a substantially rectangular seating platform 11 secured to a tubular framework 12. A back 13 is pivotally secured to the seating platform-11 at both lower corners of the back. Finger hinges 14 secured to the back 13 and the seating platform 11 on either side of the back permit the back to be supported in an upright position when the seat is in use and folded over the seating platform 11 during periods of nonuse. The back may be of any desired height but is preferably no longer than the width of the seating platform 11. This permits the back to be compactly folded over the seat.

The seat back 13 may be curved to conform to the body of the user for more comfort. The seating platform 11 may also be so shaped for the added comfort of the user. The, seating platform 11 may also be of any desired shape and made of wood, steel, or fabric secured to the tubular frame. The back 13 may be omitted if desired.

Four downwardly extending legs 15 are secured to the tubular frame, oneat each corner of the seating platform 11. Each leg 15 is provided with a series of uniformly spaced notches 16 along its length.

The seating platform 11 is supported by a lower, tubular framework comprising two parallel side tubes 17 and a front tube 18 and a rear tube 19 interconnected between the side tubes forming a substantially rectangular framework. End pieces 21, each having a horizontal bore 22 therethrough as shown in FIGURE 3, receive the ends of the side tubes 17. Each end piece 21 is provided with a'vertical hole 23 of a. diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the notched legs 15. The side tubes 17 extend into and arersecured within the end pieces, the bores of the side tubes 17 opening into the vertical holes 23. Spaced longitudinal slots 24 or openings are formed in each side tube 17. The ends of crossed release levers 25 and 26 pivotally connected at their midpoints 27 and secured to a cross brace 28 extending between the front tube '18 and the rear tube 19 pass through the spaced longitudinal openings in each side tube 17.

Referring to FIGURE 3, a cross-sectional view of a side tube 17 is shown. A pair of spaced cylindrical lock rods 29 having a yoke 30 formed on their adjacent ends are mounted in the side tube 17. The release levers 25 and 26 are each pivotally connected to a lock rod 29 between the arms of the yoke 30 formed on each lock rod. A spring 31 mounted in the side tube 17 and secured to the spaced ends of the release levers 25 and 26 passing through the side tube 17, normally urges the release levers 25 and 26 outwardly in the spaced longitudinal openings 24 in the side tube 17. This forces the lock rods 29 into the bores 22 of the end pieces 21 where they enter the notches 16 in the legs received in the holes 23 to rigidly support the seating platform 11 relative to the lower supporting framework. As the notches 16 in the legs 15 are uniformly spaced, the seating platform 11 is maintained in a level position.

To adjust the seating platform relative to the lower supporting framework, the release levers 25 and 26 are operated in a scissors-like fashion at one or both ends against the springs 31' This withdraws the lock rods 29 from the notches 16 in the legs 15, permitting the seating platform 11 to be adjusted inheight with respect to the lower supporting framework as determined by the spacing between the notches 16. When the seating platform 11 is adjusted to the desired height, the release levers 25 and 26 are released and the springs 31urge the lock rods 29 into the notches 16 in the legs 15 to rigidly support the seating platform 11.

When it is desired to collapse the seat, the release levers 25 and 26 are operated and the legs 15 permitted to slide through the holes 23 until the seating platform 11 rests on the lower supporting framework. To facilitate adjustment of the seat, finger holes 32 are provided in the seating platform 11. In order to stabilize the seat and assure a level up-and-down movement of the seating platform 11 relative to the lower supporting framework, a pair of hinges 33 and 34- are provided at each corner of the seat. The hinges 33 and 34' of each pair of hinges are connected at their ends to the seating platform 11 and the lower supporting framework and ar ranged to operate in planes at right angles to each other. With this arrangement of a pair of hinges 33 and 34 at each corner, the seating platform 11 is stabilized and maintained level at all times. The legs 15 are maintained vertical so that there cannot be any misalignment of the notches 16, assuring a level seating platform 11 and easy adjustment.

Thus I provide a sturdy adjustable seat which may be collapsed when not in use. By providing a foldable back, I provide an adjustable chair which may be collapsed into a compact device for easy portability. In addition, the chair may be installed by using the extending end pieces 21 as attachment members. The combination of lock rods, release levers, and hinges provide for easy adjustment assuring level up and-down motion motion and a sturdy level seat.

Alternative Embodiment Referring to FIGURES 4- and 5, an alternative arrangement for actuating the lock rods 29 in the side tubes 17 is shown. In this arrangement, angular release levers 25 and 26 are pivotally mounted at their apex at the midpoint of the front and rear tubes 13 and 19, respectively. The legs of the angular release levers 25 and 26 are crossedat one end and spaced at the other. The ends of the angular release levers 25 and 26 extend through slots 24 into the side tubes 17 and are pivotally connected to a lock rod 29 and secured to a spring 31 as shown in FIGURE 3 and as already described. The ends of the release'levers 25 and 26 'do not extend through the side tubes 17.

An L-shaped operating handle 36 provided with a handle grip 37 passes through a cylindrical sleeve 38 secured as by welding or other suitable fashion to the top of the side tube 17 adjacent the crossed legs of the release levers 25 and 26 A downturned leg 39 of the L-.-shaped'- operating handle 36 passes between and engages the crossed legs of the angular release levers 25* and 26;

To withdraw the lock rods 29' and adjust the seating platform, the L-shaped operating handle 36' is pulled to a retracted unlocked position. The downturned leg 39 pivots the angular release levers 25 and 26 about their respective apex. This forces the ends of the angular release levers 25 and 26 together against the springs 31 to withdraw the lock rods 29 from the notches 16 in the legs 15.

When the seating platform 11 is adjusted to the desired position, the L-shaped operating handle 36 is released. The springs 31 return the L-shaped operating handle 36 to the locking position and force the lock rods 29 outwardly into the notches 16 in the legs 15. If desired, a spring 41 may be positioned in the cylindrical sleeve 38 so as to return the L-shaped operating handle 36 to the locking position.

The cylindrical sleeve 38 may be attached to the bottom of the side tube 17, in which case the leg 39 would extend upwardly between the crossed legs of the release levers 25 and 26 Also, the cylindrical ,sleeve 38 may be secured to the bottom of the seating platform 11 and the leg 39 extended between the crossed legs of the angular release levers 25 and 26 Although I have described my invention in detail, numerous modifications can be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of my invention which is to be limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An adjustable seat comprising: a seating platform having notched legs extending downwardly therefrom; a tubular supporting frame including two side tubes having holes formed in the ends thereof for receiving said notched legs and spaced openings extending therethrough; a pair of spaced lock rods disposed in each of said side tubes; crossed release levers pivotally connected at their mid-points and secured to said supporting frame extending through said spaced openings in said tubes, each of said release levers being secured to one of said lock rods at each end, both of said release levers passing between said lock rods within said side tubes; spring means connected between said release levers within said side tubes for normally urging said lock rods outwardly within said side tubes into said holes and into engagement with said notched legs to support said seating platform relative with said supporting frame and for withdrawing said lock rods within said side tubes and from said holes when said release levers are actuated against said spring means, whereby said seating platform may be adjustably positioned relative to said supporting frame, and hinge means secured to said seating platform and said supporting frame for stabilizing the relative motion between said seating platform and said supporting frame.

2. An adjustable seat comprising a rectangular seating platform; notched, downwardly extending legs secured to the corners of said seating platform; a rectangular, tubular framework including spaced parallel side tubes having spaced openings therein and front and rear tubes connected therebetween; end pieces having holes therein secured to' the ends of said side tubes, said holes opening into the bores of said side tubes; a pair of lock rods supported in each of said side tubes; crossed release levers pivotally connected at their midpoints and secured to said front and rear tubes, the ends of said' release levers extending through said spaced openings in said side tubes and between said lock rods mounted therein, each of said release levers being secured to a lock rod at either end; spring means connected to and extending between said release levers within said side tubes for normally urging said lock rods into said holes in said end pieces to engage and secure said notched legs when said notched legs are received in said holes whereby said seating platform is supported relative to said tubular frame, said seating platform being adjustable relative to said tubular framework when said release levers are actuated in scissors fashion against said spring means connected thereto; and a pair of hinges connected to and at the corners of said rectangular seating platform and said rectangular tubular framework for stabilizing the relative motion between said seating platform and said tubular framework.

3. An adjustable seat as defined in claim 2 including a foldable back secured to said seating platform.

4. An adjustable seat as defined in claim 2 wherein said hinges at each corner of said seat platform and said tubular framework are disposed for operation in planes at right angles to each other.

5. An adjustable chair as defined in claim 2 including a back secured to said seating platform by hinges whereby said back folds over said seating platform.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Suchland Mar. 31, 1891 Binckley Oct. 25, 1910 Ashby et a1 Nov. 18, 1913 Andersen Nov. 2, 1915 McKissick Mar. 25, 1941 Johnson Dec. 29, 1953 Ashby Jan. 24, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS Norway July 17, 1922 Italy Feb. 13, 1957 

1. AN ADJUSTABLE SEAT COMPRISING: A SEATING PLATFORM HAVING NOTCHED LEGS EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY THEREFROM; A TUBULAR SUPPORTING FRAME INCLUDING TWO SIDE TUBES HAVING HOLES FORMED IN THE ENDS THEREOF FOR RECEIVING SAID NOTCHED LEGS AND SPACED OPENINGS EXTENDING THERETHROUGH; A PAIR OF SPACED LOCK RODS DISPOSED IN EACH OF SAID SIDE TUBES; CROSSED RELEASE LEVERS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT THEIR MID-POINTS AND SECURED TO SAID SUPPORTING FRAME EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SPACED OPENINGS IN SAID TUBES, EACH OF SAID RELEASE LEVERS BEING SECURED TO ONE OF SAID LOCK RODS AT EACH END, BOTH OF SAID RELEASE LEVERS PASSING BETWEEN SAID LOCK RODS WITHIN SAID SIDE TUBES; SPRING MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID RELEASE LEVERS WITHIN SAID SIDE TUBES FOR NORMALLY URGING SAID LOCK RODS OUTWARDLY WITHIN SAID SAID TUBES INTO SAID HOLES AND INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID NOTCHED LEGS TO SUPPORT SAID SEATING PLATFORM RELATIVE WITH SAID SUPPORTING FRAME AND FOR WITHDRAWING SAID LOCK RODS WITHIN SAID SIDE TUBES AND FROM SAID HOLES WHEN SAID RELEASE LEVERS ARE ACTUATED AGAINST SAID SPRING MEANS, WHEREBY SAID SEATING PLATFORM MAY BE ADJUSTABLY POSITIONED RELATIVE TO SAID SUPPORTING FRAME; AND HINGE MEANS SECURED TO SAID SEATING PLATFORM AND SAID SUPPORTING FRAME FOR STABLIZING THE RELATIVE MOTION BETWEEN SAID SEATING PLATFORM AND SAID SUPPORTING FRAME. 